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Hip Hop Week In Review: A$AP Rocky Freed From Jail & R. Kelly Pleads Not Guilty

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HipHopDX – This week in Hip Hop, A$AP Rocky was released from Swedish custody after spending multiple weeks in jail. Also, Drake dropped his Care Package compilation and R. Kelly pleaded not guilty to racketeering and sex crime charges.

A$AP Rocky Is Out Of Jail

After spending almost one month in a Swedish jail, A$AP Rocky is finally returning to the United States. A judge released him from custody while the A$AP Mob awaits a verdict in his assault case.

Rocky has pleaded not guilty to the charges. He’s facing a two-year maximum sentence, but prosecutors are reportedly recommending six months.

Not long after his release, Rocky took to Instagram to thank his supporters.

“THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART TO ALL OF MY FANS, FRIENDS AND ANYONE ACROSS THE GLOBE WHO SUPPORTED ME DURING THESE LAST FEW WEEKS,” he wrote. “I CANT BEGIN TO DESCRIBE HOW GRATEFUL I AM FOR ALL OF YOU.”

The judge is expected to hand down a verdict on August 14.

Read more about A$AP Rocky’s case here.

Drake Drops Off “Care Package”

Drake pleased fans with his new compilation Care Package, which dropped Friday (August 2).

The project consists of 17 previously released loose tracks, such as the James Fauntleroy-assisted “Girls Love Beyoncé” and “Club Paradise.”

Stream Drake’s Care Package here.

R. Kelly Pleads Not Guilty

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On Friday (August 2), R. Kelly pleaded not guilty to racketeering and sex trafficking charges in a New York City courtroom. He was swiftly denied bail.

During a previous hearing, federal prosecutors labeled the disgraced R&B singer as “an extreme danger to the community, especially to minor girls.” Between Illinois and New York, Kelly has charges that could lock him up for the rest of his life.

Read more about R. Kelly’s not guilty plea here.

DX Reviews

– Chance The Rapper — The Big Day
– The Cool Kids & Alchemist — Layups
– Mr. Muthafuckin’ eXquire — Mr. Muthafuckin’ eXquire

#DXCLUSIVES: RJ & Layzie Bone

RJ On Releasing Debut Album “On God” & Why He Should Be At More Festivals

Los Angeles native RJ recently lit up Snoop Dogg’s Once Upon a Time in the LBC festival. HipHopDX was able to catch up with him about putting on for his city.

“My favorite part is just getting up on stage and just watching the crowd reaction,” RJ said. “It’s kind of funny because this seems like a concert for the vets, you know, and it’s like they going up to my shit, an up-and-coming artist — well I’m kind of solidified now, you know, but it feels good to be among the vets.”

Read the full RJ interview here.

Layzie Bone On Bone Thugs-N-Harmony’s Legacy & How Snoop Dogg Inspired Him

At the same event, DX ran into Layzie Bone and spoke to him about the legacy of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony’s 1995 classic E. 1999 Eternal.

“25 years — that makes us eligible for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,” Layzie said. “That’s all I’m going to say to ’em, like 25 years, quit playing with me.”

Read the entire Layzie Bone interview here.


Source: Hip Hop DX